Sicily, Italy

The above photo is the view looking down at the old fishing village of Cefalu from the old fortifications on the hill. Cefalu has become a top tourist attraction--only one hour by train East of Palermo. This seaside town has historic churches, cathedrals, and castle ruins to visit and explore.

Palermo
It's worth making the town of Palermo your first stop in Sicily. It's the island's main transport centre, and it boasts Sicily's greatest concentration of sights. Quite apart from the Arab influence in its finest churches, there's more than a hint of the city's eastern past in its undisciplined centre, a sprawling, almost anarchic mass with no real focus: great pockets of medieval alleys, nineteenth-century piazzas, twentieth-century bombsites and contemporary office blocks all conspire to confuse what is essentially a straightforward street grid.  One popular tourist attraction is the Ballaro Market in the heart of the old historic center of Palermo.  It is the city's biggest open-air market lined with shops and stretches for many blocks.  You will find everything from whole sword fish to espresso stands and food stores - prices are rock-bottom.  Check out the best deals on hotels in Palermo, Sicily.

Via Roma is the main street in the historic, downtown quarter of the town of Palermo.  There are plenty of restaurants nearby as well as all the historical sites - mainly old churches.  The Hotel Moderno is situated right on Via Roma and is an excellent choice for tourists visiting Palermo.  This hotel offers reasonably prices, security with video surveillance, multi-lingual staff, good continental breakfast (included in price), air conditioned rooms.

The Shrine of St. Rosalia is located on a hilltop at the mouth of a cave in Palermo.  She is the Patron Saint of Palermo and the cave is where her remains were found.  Legend has it that she saved the city from the plague in the 1600s.

The near life-sized Crucified Christ is inside the entrance to the shrine.  In the shrine is an image of St. Rosalia adorned in a garment made of pure gold - a gift from the King of Spain over 200 years ago.

 

Taormina
The above photo is the view looking down from the town of Taormina, the oldest tourist resort town in Sicily.  Attractions include a restored ancient Greek amphitheater.  Taormina is near the town of Catania in eastern Sicily and a popular destination for American tourists.  The town is at higher elevation and the weather is a bit cooler here.  Hotel and restaurant prices in Taormina are some of the highest in Sicily because of its popularity.

Other nearby notable towns include the mafia-famed town of Corleone, about a 1.5 hour bus ride from Palermo.

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